ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the dynamics of Romania's approach on deterrence against the prospect of Russia's return to geopolitical revisionism and aggressive conduct in its eastern proximity. It seeks to decipher the rationales behind Romania's deterrence policy and explain to what extent it can pursue a credible deterrence strategy, as well as what kind of deterrence should be best applied to meet the country's security and defence needs. The chapter explores the main challenges facing the country in pursuit of deterrence and assess what can be done in order to build a robust national defence. Romania and Russia share a history of enmity. Russia has been seen as a source of insecurity since the creation of the Romanian modern state in the nineteenth century. Despite the growing North Atlantic Treaty Organization support to enhance Romania's defence position and increased efforts to develop its national defence potential, the pursuit of deterrence might still be subjected to a series of unpredictable conditions.
